Dear John,

Tomorrow, open enrollment begins in Minnesota on MNSure. Health care costs are skyrocketing and this week, instead of address these issues, President Trump decided to take food away from nearly 42 million Americans by refusing to fund SNAP programs in November. It is illegal, it is immoral and it is one of the most cruel actions I have seen out of this Administration thus far. 

The Trump Administration has the appropriated funds and legal authority to fully fund SNAP in November – plain and simple.  But instead of coming to the table and working with Democrats to reopen the government and address the health care crisis in this country, the Trump Administration has chosen to use hungry Minnesotans as bargaining chips. 

President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins are illegally cutting food assistance when there is more than $5 billion in the SNAP contingency fund, and they have the authority to fund the rest. That’s why this week, 25 states – including Minnesota – and Washington, D.C., sued the Trump Administration for illegally withholding funding for SNAP. If the President wanted to help feed hungry Americans, he would. He is showing us his callous disregard for America’s hungry seniors, veterans and families with children. 

And why? Because Republicans and the Trump Administration don’t like food assistance programs. How do we know that? Because they’ve shown us. Republicans canceled $500 million-worth of food for local food banks, canceled the Local Food for Schools Program, cut SNAP by $186 billion in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and are now refusing to use the SNAP contingency fund to make sure folks in this country can buy groceries tomorrow.  

Amidst all of this, we have Republicans like Mike Johnson going on TV every day, lying through their teeth saying their “hands are tied.” Folks, let me just tell you, when Mike Johnson’s lips are moving these days, he’s lying. The Administration’s hands are not tied. Withholding food from hungry children, seniors, people with disabilities and veterans is a choice. 
 
It’s cruel and it’s wrong. I want you to know, I’m fighting for you here in Washington – and I’ve been fighting for the SNAP program since day one of this Administration. You can watch my interview on the Trump Administration’s attacks on SNAP with MSNBC’s Chris Jansing here.  

Share YOUR story: 

Open Enrollment for MNSure starts tomorrow and will remain open until January 15. 

Republicans are still refusing to come to the table to lower your health care costs – and folks across Minnesota are seeing their premiums increase.  

If you or your loved ones are seeing your costs go up, I want to hear from you. Please share your story with me and my office here. 

Here’s what else I’ve been up to this week:

Standing with my colleagues to fight for SNAP 

This week, I hosted two press conferences with Democratic leadership.  
 
On Tuesday, I held a press conference with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rep. Rosa DeLauro. You can watch my remarks from the press conference here.  
 
On Wednesday, I held a press conference with Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse, and my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee.  

Working with state leaders in SNAP  

On Wednesday, I met with The Food Group to talk about the impacts of the Big Ugly Bill and the Trump Administration's attacks on SNAP in Minnesota.  
 
As Republicans try to gut food assistance programs, I’m working with state and local leaders to make sure Minnesotans can put food on the table.  

Working with innovators in health care 

This week, I also met with Medical Alley to discuss how we can strengthen health care innovation in Minnesota. 

Hearing from Minnesota’s small business owners 

The Trump Administration's attacks on affordability are hurting everyone – and small business owners are being squeezed from all sides.  
 
This week, I had an important conversation with small business owners from Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights about how we can best advocate for Minnesota’s entrepreneurs during these unprecedented times. 

Behind the Scenes: 

This week, I joined forces with a number of my colleagues to explain the impacts the Trump Administration’s actions will have on Americans. One of them was the Democratic Whip Katherine Clark – one of my good friends! Our conversation was posted on my social media channels yesterday.  

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress